Location based user aware video on demand sessions

ABSTRACT

A system and a method are described herein for enabling a user with a location-aware mobile device to have at least partial control of a closest set top box associated with a closest television. The closest set top box does not need to be associated with the user&#39;s home television but instead can be any set top box that is associated with a television located for instance at a stranger&#39;s house, an airport, a bar, or wherever.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/092,260 filed Apr. 22, 2011, now pending, the contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cable backend and a method forenabling a user with a location-aware mobile device to have at leastpartial control of a closest cable device (e.g., set top box, cableapplication) associated with a closest television. In addition, thepresent invention relates to the location-aware mobile device whichenables the user to have at least partial control of the closest cabledevice associated with the closest television. The closest cable devicedoes not need to be associated with the user's home television butinstead can be any cable device that is associated with a televisionlocated for instance at a stranger's house, an airport, a bar, orwherever.

BACKGROUND

Traditional set top boxes (STBs) only allow a single user to beassociated with them. The single user may have one or more set top boxeswith which they can interact, typically those set top boxes are alllocated within the same household. Each home set top box has information(stored in a single household account) on rentals, premium content andsimilar, regardless of which home set top box was used to actually makethe purchase for the rentals, premium content and similar. Increasingly,users expect their cable television to fit their “on the go lifestyle”,with popular innovations such as multi-screen television where content(television programs, rental movies, premium content etc. . . . ) can bedisplayed on the user's television, computer or mobile device. Whilemulti-screen television helps users consume content when they are awayfrom their home, traditional set top boxes remain the most efficientmethod of delivering high quality video content to the user'stelevision. However, the traditional set top box requires that the userbe confined to their home to view the content on their television.Should the user leave their home, even if the user is near another settop box and television, that set top box will not be configured toaccess their account, reinforcing the perception that traditionaltelevision is a “at home” experience, only. The same problem occurs whenthere is no set top box but instead the hardware and software associatedwith the set top box forms a cable application which is located withinthe television. Thus, there has been and still is a need to address atleast this shortcoming and other shortcomings which are satisfied by thepresent invention.

SUMMARY

A cable backend, a method, and a location-aware mobile device thataddress the shortcomings of the prior art are described in theindependent claims of the present application. Advantageous embodimentsof the cable backend, the method, and the location-aware mobile devicehave been described in the dependent claims of the present application.

In an aspect, the present invention provides a cable backend forenabling a user with a location-aware mobile device to have at leastpartial control of a closest cable device associated with a closesttelevision. The cable backend comprises a login server, a locationsystem (which stores fixed locations of a plurality of cable devices),and an accounting system (which maintains account details of the user).The login server is configured to receive a login command from thelocation-aware mobile device, the login command includes at leastaccount information associated with the user and a current location ofthe user. The login server is configured to send the current location ofthe user to the location system. The location system is configured tostore the current location of the user. The login server is configuredto send a query to the location system to determine which one of thecable devices is located closest to the current location of the user.The location system is configured to determine which one of the cabledevices is located closest to the current location of the user. Thelocation system is configured to send information identifying theclosest cable device to the login server. The login server is configuredto send the information identifying the closest cable device to thelocation-aware mobile device. The login server is configured to send arequest to the accounting system for at least a portion of the accountdetails of the user stored therein. The accounting system is configuredto send the at least a portion of the account details of the user to thelogin server. The login server is configured to send the at least aportion of the account details of the user to the closest cable device.The login server is configured to send a login confirmation to thelocation-aware mobile device to indicate to the user that they now haveat least partial control of the closest cable device to control contentdisplayed on the closest television. The cable backend has an advantagein that it enables the user to at least partially control the closestcable device which may be located outside of their home but can functionin an identical manner as the cable devices located in their home.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method forenabling a user with a location-aware mobile device to have at leastpartial control of a closest cable device associated with a closesttelevision. The method is implemented by a cable backend comprising alogin server, a location system, and an accounting system. The methodcomprises the steps of: (a) storing, at the location system, fixedlocations of a plurality of cable devices; (b) maintaining, at theaccounting system, account details of the user, (c) receiving, at thelogin server, a login command from the location-aware mobile device, thelogin command includes at least account information associated with theuser and a current location of the user; (d) sending, from the loginserver, the current location of the user to the location system; (e)storing, at the location system, the current location of the user; (f)sending, from the login server, a query to the location system todetermine which one of the plurality of cable devices is located closestto the current location of the user; (g) determining, at the locationsystem, which one of the plurality of cable devices is located closestto the current location of the user; (h) sending, from the locationsystem, information identifying the closest cable device to the loginserver; (i) sending, from the login server, the information identifyingthe closest cable device to the location-aware mobile device; (j)sending, from the login server, a request to the accounting system forat least a portion of the account details of the user stored therein;(k) sending, from the accounting system, the at least a portion of theaccount details of the user to the login server; (l) sending, from thelogin server, the at least a portion of the account details of the userto the closest cable device; and (m) sending, from the login server, alogin confirmation to the location-aware mobile device to indicate tothe user that they now have at least partial control of the closestcable device to control content displayed on the closest television. Themethod has an advantage in that it enables the user to at leastpartially control the closest cable device which may be located outsideof their home but can function in an identical manner as the cabledevices located in their home.

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides alocation-aware mobile device configured to interact with a cable backendto enable a user of the location-aware mobile device to have at leastpartial control of a closest cable device associated with a closesttelevision. The location-aware mobile device comprises: (a) apositioning system configured to determine a current location of theuser; (b) processor; and (c) a memory that stores processor-executableinstructions therein where the processor interfaces with the memory andexecutes the processor-executable instructions to: (i) send a logincommand to the cable backend, where the login command includes at leastaccount information associated with the user and the current location ofthe user; and (ii) receive a login confirmation from the cable backend,where the login confirmation indicates to the user that they now have atleast partial control of the closest cable device to control contentdisplayed on the closest television. The location-aware mobile devicehas an advantage in that it enables the user to at least partiallycontrol the closest cable device which may be located outside of theirhome but can function in an identical manner as the cable deviceslocated in their home.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a methodimplemented by a location-aware mobile device for enabling a user tointeract with a cable backend to have at least partial control of aclosest cable device associated with a closest television. The methodcomprising the steps of: (a) determining a current location of the user;(b) sending a login command to the cable backend, where the logincommand includes at least account information associated with the userand the current location of the user; and (c) receiving a loginconfirmation from the cable backend, where the login confirmationindicates to the user that they now have at least partial control of theclosest cable device to control content displayed on the closesttelevision. The method has an advantage in that it enables the user toat least partially control the closest cable device which may be locatedoutside of their home but can function in an identical manner as thecable devices located in the user's home.

Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth, in part, in thedetailed description, figures and any claims which follow, and in partwill be derived from the detailed description, or can be learned bypractice of the invention. It is to be understood that both theforegoing general description and the following detailed description areexemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the inventionas disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be obtainedby reference to the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a cable backend that enables a user with alocation-aware mobile device to have at least partial control of aclosest cable device (e.g., closest set top box, closest cableapplication) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-2B is a flowchart illustrating the basic steps of a preferredmethod implemented by the cable backend for enabling the user with thelocation-aware mobile device to have at least partial control of theclosest cable device (e.g., closest set top box, closest cableapplication) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the basic steps of a preferred methodimplemented by the location-aware mobile device for enabling the user tohave at least partial control of a closest cable device (e.g., closestset top box, closest cable application) in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is a block diagram of an exemplary cablebackend 100 configured to enable a user 102 (only one shown) with alocation-aware mobile device 104 (e.g., smart mobile phone, laptopcomputer, personal digital assistant, Ipad®) to have at least partialcontrol of a closest cable device 105 (e.g., closest set top box 105)associated with a closest television 107 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The cable backend 100 includes alogin server 108 (check-in server 108), a location system 110, anaccounting system 112 (billing system 112), and an advertising system114 (demographic system 114).

The login server 108 interfaces with and controls a number of set topboxes 105, 105′ and 105″ (cable devices 105, 105′ and 105″) which arerespectively connected to televisions 107, 107′ and 107″. In thisexample, the set top boxes 105′ and corresponding televisions 107′ arelocated in a home 116 of the user 102, and the set top boxes 105 and105″ and corresponding televisions 107 and 107″ are located outside ofthe home 116 of the user 102. In this scenario, the user 102 iscurrently located next to set top box 105 and television 107 and hencethis particular set top box 105 and television 107 are referred toherein as being the closest set top box 105 and the closest television107.

In addition, the login server 108 can interface with and control anumber of cable applications 106′ and 106″ (cable devices 106′ and 106″)which are respectively located within the televisions 109′ and 109″. Inthis example, the connected television 109′ including the cableapplication 106′ is located in the home 116 of the user 102, and theconnected televisions 109″ including the cable applications 106″ arelocated outside of the home 116 of the user 102. Each cable device 105,105′, 105″, 106′ and 106″ can be controlled by a corresponding remotecontrol 118, 118′, 118″, 119′ and 119″ to determine the contentdisplayed on the corresponding televisions 107, 107′, 107′, 109′ and109″.

The login server 108 also interfaces and communicates with thelocation-aware mobile device 104. The location system 110 stores fixedlocations 120 (geographical locations 120) of the cable device 105,105′, 105″, 106′ and 106″. The accounting system 112 stores andmaintains account details 122 (billing and subscription details 122) ofthe user 102.

An exemplary scenario is discussed in next were the cable backend 100enables the user 102 with the location-aware mobile device 104 to haveat least partial control of the closest set top box 105 to control thecontent displayed on the closest television 107 as follows:

1. The login server 108 is configured to receive a login command 124from the location-aware mobile device 104. Typically, the user 102 whenlocated next to a set top box 105 (for example) would interact with anapplication 123 stored within their location-aware mobile device 104 tosend the login command 124 to the login server 108. The login command124 includes at least account information 125 (e.g., account number andpassword) associated with the user 102 and a current location 128 of theuser 102. To accomplish this, the location-aware mobile device 101includes a positioning system 126 (e.g., global positioning system 126)configured to determine the current, location 128 of the user 102.

2. The login server 108 is configured to send the current location 128of the user 102 to the location system 110.

3. The location system 110 is configured to store the current location128 of the user 102.

4. The login server 108 is configured to send a query 130 to thelocation system 110 to determine which one of the cable devices 105,105′, 105″, 106′ and 106″ is located closest to the current location 128of the user 102. If desired, the login server 108 can be configured tosend the user's current location 128 and the query 130 at same time tothe location system 110.

5. The location system 110 upon receiving the query 130 is configured todetermine which one of the cable devices 105, 105′, 105″, 106′ and 106″is located closest to the current location 128 of the user 102. Forexample, the location system 110 would compare the user's currentlocation 128 to the previously stored fixed locations 120 of the cabledevices 105, 105′, 105″, 106′ and 106″ to determine that the user 102 islocated next to set top box 105 (closest set top box 105).

6. The location system 110 is configured to send information 132identifying the closest set top box 105 to the login server 108.

7. The login server 108 is configured to send the information 132identifying the closest set top box 105 to the location-aware mobiledevice 104.

8. The login server 108 is configured to send a request 134 to theaccounting system 112 for at least a portion 135 (e.g., rental history,active rentals, demographics, rating restrictions, billing information(in the case of full set top control)) of the account details 122 of theuser 102. In addition, the login server 108 informs the accountingsystem 112 that the user 102 will have temporary control of the closestset top box 105 to select the specific content which is displayed on theclosest television 107.

9. The accounting system 112 is configured to send the portion 135(e.g., rental history, active rentals, demographics, ratingrestrictions, billing information (in the case of full set top control))of the user's account details 122 to the login server 108.

10. The login server 108 is configured to send the portion 135 of theuser's account details 122 to the closest set top box 105. At thispoint, the closest set-top box 105 which happens to be located outsideof the home 116 of the user 102 can now function in an identical manneras the one or more cable devices 105′ and 106′ located in the home 116of the user 102.

11. The login server 108 is configured to send a login confirmation 136to the location-aware mobile device 104 to indicate to the user 102 thatthey now have at least partial control of the closest set top box 105 sothey can now control what content is displayed on the closest television107 (see exemplary use case nos. 1-4—discussed below).

12. The accounting system 112 is further configured to process more thanone user-billing account for the closest set top box 105 if the user 102is logged-in to the closest set top box 105 (see exemplary use case no.1—discussed below). In this situation, the user 102 has temporarycontrol of the closest set top box 105 using the location-aware mobiledevice 104 or the traditional set top box remote control 118 so the user102 can at least navigate video on demand catalogs, watch premiumcontent, and rent movies that will be processed through their billingaccount. In particular, the accounting system 112 would process oneuser-billing account associated with the closest set top box 105 for theoriginal owner/subscriber (not shown) and process another user-billingaccount associated with the closest set top box 105 for the user 102. Inother words, the user 102 is responsible for paying any fees for viewingcontent on the closest television 107 while the user 102 is logged-in toand has control of the closest set top box 105. Plus, the originalowner/subscriber would be responsible for paying any fees for viewingcontent on the closest television 107 when the user 102 is not logged-into and controlling the closest set top box 105.

13. The advertising system 114 (optional) is configured to interact withthe location system 110 and obtain the user's current location 128 totrack demographics of the user 102. If desired, the advertising system114 can be configured to interact with the location system 110 to obtainthe current locations of multiple users (not shown) to track thedemographics of the multiple users 102 (only one shown).

14. The advertising system 114 (optional) is configured to utilize theuser's location information 128 and other information (e.g., user'saccount details 122, other user's location information) to send targetadvertising 138 to the user 102 and if desired the other users (notshown) based on the tracked demographics.

15. The login server 108 logs-out the user 102 from the closest set topbox 105 if the user 102 uses the location-aware mobile device 104 toactively close their control of the closest set top box 105. Inaddition, the login server 108 can log-out the user 102 from the closestset top box 105 if the user 102 moves the location-aware mobile device104 a predetermined distance away from the closest set top box 105. Toaccomplish this, the location-aware mobile device 104 would have to sendperiodic updates of the user's current location 128 to the login server108.

16. The login server 108 sends a log-out message 139 to the accountingsystem 112 if the login server 108 had complete control of the closestset top box 105 using the location-aware mobile device 104 or thetraditional set top box remote control 118 to at least navigate video ondemand catalogs, watch premium content, and rent movies (see exemplaryuse case no. 1—discussed below).

17. The accounting system 112 upon receiving the log-out message 139would stop billing the user 102 for content displayed on the closesttelevision 107 and start billing the original subscriber-user associatedwith the closest set top box 105 for future content displayed on theclosest television 107.

In the aforementioned exemplary scenario, the cable backend 100 isdescribed as enabling the user 102 with the location-aware mobile device104 to have at least partial control of the closest set top box 105 andhence control of the content displayed on the closest television 107.However, it should be appreciated that the cable backend 100 can alsofunction to enable the user 102 with the location-aware mobile device104 depending on their current location to have at least partial controlof anyone of the cable devices 105′. 105′, 106′ and 106″ associated withthe televisions 107′, 107″, 109′ and 109″. Furthermore, it should beappreciated that the cable backend 100 can function to enable any numberof users 102 with location-aware mobile devices 104 to have at leastpartial control over their respective closest cable devices 105, 105′,105″, 106′ and 106″.

The login server 108 has one or more processors 140 and memory 142(storage 142) that includes processor-executable instructions where theone or more processors 140 is adapted to interface with the memory 142and use hardware or execute the processor-executable instructions toimplement at least the aforementioned steps 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 15,and 16 In one example, the one or more processors 140 and the memory 142are implemented, at least partially, as some combination of software,firmware, hardware, or hard-coded logic.

The location system 110 has one or more processors 144 and memory 146(storage 146) that includes processor-executable instructions where theone or more processors 144 is adapted to interface with the memory 146and use hardware or execute the processor-executable instructions toimplement at least the aforementioned steps 3, 5, and 6. In addition,the memory 146 can store the user's current location 128 and the fixedlocations 120 (geographical locations 120) of the cable devices 105,105′, 105″, 106; and 106″. In one example, the one or more processors144 and the memory 146 are implemented, at least partially, as somecombination of software, firmware, hardware, or hard-coded logic.

The accounting system 112, has one or more processors 148 and memory 150(storage 150) that includes processor-executable instructions where theone or more processors 148 is adapted to interface with the memory 150and use hardware or execute the processor-executable instructions toimplement at least the aforementioned steps 9, 12 and 17 In addition,the memory 150 stores the user's account details 122 (billing andsubscription details 122). In one example, the one or more processors148 and the memory 150 are implemented, at least partially, as somecombination of software, firmware, hardware, or hard-coded logic.

The advertising system 114 has one or more processors 152 and memory 154(storage 154) that includes processor-executable instructions where theone or more processors 152 is adapted to interface with the memory 154and use hardware or execute the processor-executable instructions toimplement at least the aforementioned steps 13 and 14. In one example,the one or more processors 152 and the memory 154 are implemented, atleast partially, as some combination of software, firmware, hardware, orhard-coded logic.

The location-aware mobile device 104 has one or more processors 156 andmemory 158 (storage 158) that includes processor-executable instructionswhere the one or more processors 156 is adapted to interface with thememory 158 and use hardware or execute the processor-executableinstructions to help implement at least the aforementioned steps 1, 7,11 and 15. In one example, the one or more processors 156 and the memory158 are implemented, at least partially, as some combination ofsoftware, firmware, hardware, or hard-coded logic. In addition, thelocation-aware mobile device 104 includes a user interface 160 thatenables the user 102 to control the closest set top box 105 after theaforementioned step 11. Furthermore, the location-aware mobile device104 includes a software application 123 installed thereon that the user102 can access to communicate with the cable backend 100.

There are several exemplary use case nos. 1-4 described next to helpfurther explain some of the capabilities, features and benefits whichare associated with the present invention.

Use Case No 1: A User 102 “Logs-In” to a STB 105

-   1. The user 102 is located near a compatible cable device 105, 105′,    105′, 106′ and 106″ which is perhaps located at an airport, a bar, a    stranger's house, a friends' house, or even their own home 116.-   2. The user 102 has a location-aware mobile device 104 which has the    software application 123 installed thereon that can communicate with    the cable backend 100. The user 102 accesses the software    application 123 and gives it permission to transmit the login    command 124 which includes their current location 128 to the login    server 108 (see FIG. 1's step 1).-   3. The login server 108 and the location system 110 processes the    user's current location 128 and returns information 132 and 136 to    the location-aware mobile device 102 about the particular set top    box 105 that is located closest to the user 102 which is presumably    the set top box 105 that the user 102 is standing in front of (see    FIG. 1's steps 2-11).-   4. The user 102 now is “logged-in” to the closest set top box 105.    At this time, the user 102 can control the set top box 105 via a    software remote control on their location-aware mobile device 104,    or through the traditional set top box remote control 118. For    instance, the user 102 can navigate video-on-demand (VOD) catalogs,    watch premium content they may have access to, watch rental    sessions, and rent movies that will be processed normally through    their billing account 122 just as they would have if using one of    the set top box 105′ located at their home 116 (see FIG. 1's steps    10-11). At this time, the accounting system 112 would start billing    the user 102 for content displayed on the closest television 107    (see FIG. 1's step 12). Plus, the advertising system 114 can    register the user's presence for targeted advertising, and    demographics tracking (see FIG. 1's steps 13 and 14).-   5. The user 102 actively closes the software application 123 in    their location-aware mobile device 104, or they walk a set distance    away from the closest set top box 105, then the login server 108    logs the user 102 out of the closest set top box 105 (see FIG. 1's    step 15).-   6. The login server 108 sends the log-out message 139 to the    accounting system 112 which upon receipt of the log-out message 139    would stop billing the user 102 for content displayed on the closest    television 107 (see FIG. 1's steps 16 and 17).

Use Case No. 2: A User 102 “Checks-In” to a STB 105

-   1. The user 102 is away from their home 116 and located near a    compatible set top box 105. This set top box 105 would not allow the    user 102 to have full “owner” control for whatever reason maybe some    other user is already logged-in, and as a result the user 102 can    only “check-in” to the set top box 105.-   2. The user 102 has a location-aware mobile device 104 which has the    software application 123 installed thereon that can communicate with    the cable backend 100. The user 102 accesses the software    application 123 and gives it permission to transmit the login    command 124 which includes their current location 128 to the login    server 108 (see FIG. 1's step 1).-   3. The login server 108 and the location system 110 processes the    user's current location 128 and returns information 132 and 136 to    the location-aware mobile device 102 about the particular set top    box 105 that is located closest to the user 102 which is presumably    the set top box 105 that the user 102 is standing in front of (see    FIG. 1's steps 2-11).-   4. The user 102 is now “checked-in” and has limited use of the    closest set top box 105 (see FIG. 1's step 11). For instance, the    user 102 which is “checked-in” to the closest set top box 105 would    have limited control of the closest set top box 105 using the    corresponding set top box remote control 118 so the user can at    least access their personal content, free content, or any content    they have previously purchased. In this case, the user's premium    content and rental sessions are available through the closest set    top box 105 for viewing on the closest television 107. However, the    user 102 can not control the closest set top box 105 by using the    software remote control on their location-aware mobile device 104 to    prevent multiple remote controls from vying for control of the    closest set top box 105. In this case, the user 102 while away from    their home 116 cannot make purchases, but the user 102 can view any    free content, or content they have already purchased on the closest    television 105. At this time, the advertising system 114 can    register the user's presence for targeted advertising, and    demographics tracking (see FIG. 1's steps 13 and 14).-   5. The user 102 actively closes the software application 123 in    their location-aware mobile device 104 or they walk a set distance    away from the closest set top box 105, then the login server 108    logs the user 102 out of the closest set top box 105 (see FIG. 1's    step 15).    Use Case No. 3: Multiple Users 102 Checked into the Same STB 105-   1. The user 102 wishes to “check-in” to the closest set top box 105    which already happens to have one user 102 “logged-in” and possibly    one or more other users 102 “checked-in” to it. As described above,    the user 102 would utilize their location-aware mobile device 104 to    “check-in” with the cable backend 100 by providing their current    location 128 to the login server 108 (see FIG. 1's step 1).-   2. Once “checked-in”, each user's content including their rental    sessions and their premium content is made available at the closest    set top box 105 for viewing by all of the users on the closest    television 107 (see FIG. 1's step 11).-   3. The advertising system 114 takes into account all of the    “checked-in” users 102 and the single “logged-in” user 102 when    recommending movies, targeting ads, and building demographic    pictures of the audience (see FIG. 1's steps 13 and 14).-   4. When anyone of the users 102 log-out from the closest set top box    105, then their content is no longer available for viewing by the    other users 102 who remain “checked-in” or “logged-in” to the    closest set top box 105. Plus, the advertising system 114 no longer    takes into account the logged-out user 102 when recommending movies,    targeting ads, and building demographic pictures of the audience    (see FIG. 1's step 1).

Use Case No. 4: STB 105 Information Transfer

-   1. Assume the user 102 is currently “checked-in” or “logged-in” to    the closest set top box 105 that is playing a movie.-   2. The user 102 has to leave the closest set top box 105, but wishes    to finish the movie later. In this case, the user 102 would use the    software application 123 on their location-aware mobile device 104    to send a request to the login server 108 to “save” this movie to    their account (which might necessitate actually purchasing rental    rights if the movie is not free, or already rented by the user 102).-   3. The login server 108 upon receiving this request obtains the    information on what movie is currently playing on the closest set    top box 105, and what time code the movie is at, and uses this    information to make a new session in the user's account details 122.-   4. The user 102 can then access this new session as if they had been    watching the movie all along from their own account, and can watch    it at any applicable cable device 105, 105′, 105′, 106′ and 106′″ or    multi-screen platform by starting the movie at the time they saved    it when watching it on the closest set top box 105.

In the aforementioned use case nos. 1-4, the cable backend 100 isdescribed as enabling the user 102 with the location-aware mobile device104 to have at least partial control of the closest set top box 105 andhence control of the content displayed on the closest television 107.However, it should be appreciated that the cable backend 100 can alsofunction to enable the user 102 with the location-aware mobile device104 depending on their current location to have at least partial controlof anyone of the cable devices 105′, 105′, 106′ and 106″ associated withthe televisions 107′, 107″, 109′ and 109″. Furthermore, it should beappreciated that the cable backend 100 can function to enable any numberof users 102 with location-aware mobile devices 104 to have at leastpartial control over their respective cable devices 105, 105′, 105″,106′ and 106″.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, there is a flowchart illustrating the basicsteps of a preferred method 200 implemented by the cable backend 100 forenabling the user 102 with the location-aware mobile device 104 to haveat least partial control of the closest cable device 105 (e.g., closestset top box 105) in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The cable backend 100 includes the login server 108, thelocation system 110, the accounting system 112, and the advertisingsystem 114. How the login server 108, the location system 110, theaccounting system 112, and the advertising system 114 function to enablethe user 102 with the location-aware mobile device 104 to have at leastpartial control of the closest cable device 105 (e.g. closest set topbox 105) is described next.

At step 202, the location system 110 stores the fixed locations 120(e.g., geographical locations 120) of the cable devices 105, 105′, 105″,106′ and 106″. For example, each of the cable devices 105, 105′, 105′,106′ and 106″ can be configured at installation to have a set location.

At step 204, the accounting system 112 stores and maintains the accountdetails 122 (billing and subscription details 122) of the user 102. Inaddition, the accounting system 112 would store and maintain the accountdetails 122 (billing and subscription details 122) for all of the users102.

At step 206, the login server 108 receives the login command 124 fromthe location-aware mobile device 104 (see FIG. 1's step 1). Typically,the user 102 when located next to a set top box 105 (for example) wouldinteract with an application 123 stored within their location-awaremobile device 104 to send the login command 124 to the login server 108.The login command 124 includes at least account information 125 (e.g.,account number and password) associated with the user 102 and a currentlocation 128 of the user 102. To accomplish this, the location-awaremobile device 104 includes a positioning system 126 (e.g., globalpositioning system 126) configured to determine the current location 128of the user 102.

At step 208, the login server 108 sends the current location 128 of theuser 102 to the location system 110 (see FIG. 1's step 2).

At step 210, the location system 110 stores the current location 128 ofthe user 102 (see FIG. 1's step 3).

At step 212, the login server 108 sends a query 30 to the locationsystem 110 to determine which one of the cable devices 105, 105′, 105″,106′ and 106″ is located closest to the current location 128 of the user102 (see FIG. 1's step 4). If desired, the login server 108 can beconfigured to send the user's current location 128 and the query 130 atsame time to the location system 110.

At step 214, the location system 110 upon receiving the query 130determines which one of the cable devices 105, 105′, 105″, 106′ and 106″is located closest to the current location 128 of the user 102 (see FIG.1's step 5). For example, the location system 110 would compare theuser's current location 128 to the previously stored fixed locations 120of the cable devices 105, 105′, 105″, 106′ and 106″ to determine thatthe user 102 is located next to set top box 105 (closest set top box105).

At step 216, the location system 110 sends information 132 identifyingthe closest set top box 105 to the login server 108 (see FIG. 1's step6),

At step 218, the login server 108 sends the information 132 identifyingthe closest set top box 105 to the user's location-aware mobile device104 (see FIG. 1's step 7).

At step 220, the login server 108 send a request 134 to the accountingsystem 112 for at least a portion 135 (e.g., rental history, activerentals, demographics, rating restrictions, billing information (in thecase of full set top control)) of the account details 122 of the user102 (see FIG. 1's step 8). In addition, the login server 108 informs theaccounting system 112 that the user 102 will have at least temporarycontrol of the closest set top box 105 to select the specific contentwhich is displayed on the closest television 107.

At step 222, the accounting system 112 sends the portion 135 (e.g.,rental history, active rentals, demographics, rating restrictions,billing information (in the case of full set top control)) of the user'saccount details 122 to the login server 108 (see FIG. 1's step 9).

At step 224, the login server 108 sends the portion 135 of the user'saccount details 122 to the closest set top box 105 (see FIG. 1's step10). At this point, the closest set-top box 105 which happens to belocated outside of the home 116 of the user 102 can now function in anidentical manner as the cable devices 105′ and 106′ which are located inthe home 116 of the user 102.

At step 226, the login server 108 sends a login confirmation 136 to thelocation-aware mobile device 104 to indicate to the user 102 that theynow have at least partial control of the closest set top box 105 so theycan now control what content is displayed on the closest television 107(see exemplary use case nos. 1-4) (see FIG. 1's step 11).

At step 228, the accounting system 112 processes inure than oneuser-billing account for the closest set top box 105 if the user 102 islogged-in to the closest set top box 105 (see exemplary use case no. 1)(see FIG. 1's step 12). In this situation, the user 102 has temporarycontrol of the closest set top box 105 using the location-aware mobiledevice 104 or the traditional set top box remote control 118 so the user102 can at least navigate video on demand catalogs, watch premiumcontent, and rent movies that will be processed through their billingaccount. In particular, the accounting system 112 would process oneuser-billing account associated with the closest set top box 105 for theoriginal owner/subscriber (not shown) and process another user-billingaccount associated with the closest set top box 105 for the user 102. Inother words, the user 102 is responsible for paying any fees for viewingcontent on the closest television 107 while the user 102 is logged-in toand has control of the closest set top box 105. Plus, the originalowner/subscriber would be responsible for paying any fees for viewingcontent on the closest television 107 when the user 102 is not logged-into and controlling the closest set top box 105.

At step 230, the advertising system 114 (optional) interacts with thelocation system 110 and obtains the user's current location 128 to trackdemographics of the user 102 (see FIG. 1's step 13). If desired, theadvertising system 114 can be configured to interact with the locationsystem 110 to obtain the current locations of multiple users (not shown)to track the demographics of the multiple users 102 (only one shown).

At step 232, the advertising system 114 (optional) is configured toutilize the user's location information 128 and other information (e.g.,user's account details 122, other user's location information) to sendtarget advertising 138 to the user 102 and if desired the other users(not shown) based on the tracked demographics (see FIG. 1's step 14).

At step 234, the login server 108 logs-out the user 102 from the closestset top box 105 if the user 102 uses the location-aware mobile device104 to actively close their control of the closest set top box 105 (seeFIG. 1's step 15). In addition, the login server 108 can log-out theuser 102 from the closest set top box 105 if the user 102 moves thelocation-aware mobile device 104 a predetermined distance away from theclosest set top box 105. To accomplish this, the location-aware mobiledevice 104 would have to send periodic updates of the user's currentlocation 128 to the login server 108.

At step 236, the login server 108 sends a log-out message 139 to theaccounting system 112 if the login server 108 had complete control ofthe closest set top box 105 using the location-aware mobile device 104or the traditional set top box remote control 118 to at least navigatevideo on demand catalogs, watch premium content, and rent movies (seeexemplary use case no. 1) (see FIG. 1's step 16).

At step 238, the accounting system 112 upon receiving the log-outmessage 139 would stop billing the user 102 for content displayed on theclosest television 107 and start billing the original subscriber-userassociates with the closest set top box 105 for future content displayedon the closest television 107 (see FIG. 1's step 17).

Referring to FIG. 3, there is a flowchart illustrating the basic stepsof a preferred method 300 implemented by the location-aware mobiledevice 104 for enabling the user 102 to have at least partial control ofa closest cable device 105 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. At step 302, the mobile device's positioning system126 determines a current location 128 of the user 102. At step 304, themobile device 104 sends the login command 124 to the cable backend 100,where the login command 124 includes at least account information 125associated with the user 102 and the current location 128 of the user102. At step 306, the mobile device 104 receives a login confirmation136 from the cable backend 100, where the login confirmation 136indicates to the user 102 that they now have at least partial control ofthe closest cable device 105 (for example) to control content displayedon the closest television 107. At step 308, the mobile device 104enables the user 102 to interact with a user interface 160 to controlthe closest cable device 105.

From the foregoing, one skilled in the art will appreciate that thecable backend 100 (includes satellite's television backend) isconfigured to associate both users and cable devices (set top boxes,cable applications) with a physical location—a fixed location in thecase of the cable devices and a dynamic location in the case of theusers. The cable devices can be configured at installation to have a setlocation, and the users would have a location-aware mobile deviceconfigured to have an positioning system (such as a mobile device with aglobal positioning system (GPS)) which updates the cable backend 100 atappropriate instances with their current location. In this way, thecable backend 100 can enable a user with their location-aware mobiledevice to have at least partial control of a closest cable device (e.g.,set top box, cable application) so they can now control the contentdisplayed on the closest television. The cable backend 100 has manyadvantages several of which are as follows:

-   1) The cable backend 100 allows a user to interact with any    compatible cable device, either in the role of an owner who is    logged in (in which case the cable device acts identically to their    household cable device(s)) or in the role of a viewer who is    “checked in” (in which case they have limited use of the cable    device). The user has the option to automatically access any nearby    cable device to control the content displayed on the corresponding    nearby television.-   2) The cable backend 100 allows users to continue their “on the go”    lifestyle while also supporting the existing, traditional    technologies, such as televisions and set top boxes.-   3) The cable backend 100 by allowing users to “check in” to a nearby    cable device enables the users to advertise to friends such as    showing them how useful video-on-demand content is, or how much they    enjoyed a particular movie without forcing their friends to see the    content at the user's home.-   4) The cable backend 100 can track who is watching what content, and    where they are watching that content which is desirable in several    ways to the advertising industry. For example, the cable backend 100    by being able to more accurately track demographics (how many users    are actually seeing an ad or movie) can better target ads to those    users (based on the tracked demographics) which is very valuable to    the cable industry.

Although multiple embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoingDetailed Description, it should be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed embodiments, but instead is also capable ofnumerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions withoutdeparting from the present invention that as has been set forth anddefined within the following claims.

1. A location-aware mobile device configured to interact with a systemto enable a user of the location-aware mobile device to have at leastpartial control of a closest set top box associated with a closesttelevision, the location-aware mobile device comprising: a positioningsystem configured to determine a current location of location-awaremobile device; a processor; and a memory that storesprocessor-executable instructions therein where the processor interfaceswith the memory and executes the processor-executable instructions to:send a login command to the system, where the login command includes atleast account information associated with the user and the currentlocation of the location-aware mobile device; and receive a loginconfirmation from the system, where the login confirmation indicates tothe user that they now have at least partial control of the closest settop box to control content displayed on the closest television.
 2. Thelocation-aware mobile device of claim 1, further comprising a userinterface configured to enable the user to control the closest set topbox.
 3. The location-aware mobile device of claim 1, wherein the closestset top box is located outside of a home of the user but when the userhas at least partial control of the closest set top box then the closestset top box functions in an identical manner as the one or more set topboxes located in the home of the user.
 4. A method for enabling a userwith a location-aware mobile device to interact with a system to have atleast partial control of a closest set top box associated with a closesttelevision, the method implemented by the location-aware mobile devicecomprising the steps of: determining a current location of thelocation-aware mobile device; sending a login command to the system,where the login command includes at least account information associatedwith the user and the current location of the location-aware mobiledevice; and receiving a login confirmation from the system, where thelogin confirmation indicates to the user that they now have at leastpartial control of the closest set top box to control content displayedon the closest television.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprisinga step of enabling the user to interact with a user interface in thelocation-aware mobile device to control the closest set top box.
 6. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the closest set top box is located outside ofa home of the user but when the user has at least partial control of theclosest set top box then the closest set top box functions in anidentical manner as the one or more set top boxes located in the home ofthe user.
 7. A login server associated with a system that is configuredto enable a user with a location-aware mobile device to have at leastpartial control of a closest set top box associated with a closesttelevision, the system further comprising a location system and anaccounting system, the login server comprising: a processor; and amemory that stores processor-executable instructions therein whereprocessor interfaces with the memory and executes theprocessor-executable instructions to: receive a login command from thelocation-aware mobile device, the login command includes at leastaccount information associated with the user and a current location ofthe location-aware mobile device; send the current location of thelocation-aware mobile device to the location system; send a query to thelocation system to determine which one of a plurality of s top boxes islocated closest to the current location of the location-aware mobiledevice; receive a reply from the location system indicating which one ofthe plurality of set top boxes is located closest to the currentlocation of the location-aware mobile device; send informationidentifying closest set top box to the location-aware mobile device;send a request to the accounting system for at least a portion of theaccount details of the user stored therein; receive the at least aportion of the account details of the user from the accounting system;send the at least a portion of the account details of the user to theclosest set top box; and send a login confirmation to the location-awaremobile device to indicate to the user that they now have at leastpartial control of the closest set top box to control content displayedon the closest television.
 8. The login server of claim 7, wherein theprocessor further interfaces with the memory and executes theprocessor-executable instructions to log-out the user from the closestset top box if the user utilizes the location-aware mobile device toactively close the at least partial control of the closest set top boxor the user moves the location-aware mobile device a predetermineddistance away from the closest set top box.
 9. The login server of claim8, wherein the processor further interfaces with the memory and executesthe processor-executable instructions to send a logout message to theaccounting system.
 10. The login server of claim 8, wherein theprocessor further interfaces with the memory and executes theprocessor-executable instructions to receive a request from thelocation-aware mobile device to save information about the content suchthat the user can access and continue playing the content at a latertime at the closest step top box or any other set top box.
 11. A methodimplemented by a login server which is associated with a system that isconfigured to enable a user with a location-aware mobile device to haveat least partial control of a closest set top box associated with aclosest television, the system further comprising a location system andan accounting system, the method implemented by the login servercomprising steps of: receiving a login command from the location-awaremobile device, the login command includes at least account informationassociated with the user and a current location of the location-awaremobile device; sending the current location of the location-aware mobiledevice to the location system; sending a query to the location system todetermine which one of a plurality of set top boxes is located closestto the current location of the location-aware mobile device; receiving areply from the location system indicating which one of the plurality ofset top boxes is located closest to the current location of thelocation-aware mobile device; sending information identifying theclosest set top box to the location-aware mobile device; sending arequest to the accounting system for at least a portion of the accountdetails of the user stored therein; receiving the at least a portion ofthe account details of the user from the accounting system; sending theat least a portion of the account details of the user to the closest settop box; and sending a login confirmation to the location-aware mobiledevice to indicate to the user that they now have at least partialcontrol of the closest set top box to control content displayed on theclosest television.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising astep of logging-out the user from the closest set top box if the userutilizes the location-aware mobile device to actively close the at leastpartial control of the closest set top box or the user moves thelocation-aware mobile device a predetermined distance away from theclosest set top box.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising astep of sending a logout message to the accounting system.
 14. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising a step of receiving a requestfrom the location-aware mobile device to save information about thecontent such that he user can access and continue playing the content ata later time at the closest step top box or any other set top box.
 15. Alocation system which is associated with a system that is configured toenable a user with a location-aware mobile device to have at leastpartial control of a closest set top box associated with a closesttelevision, the system further comprising a login system and anaccounting system, the location system comprising: a processor; and amemory that stores processor-executable instructions therein where theprocessor interfaces with the memory and executes theprocessor-executable instructions to: store fixed locations of aplurality of set top boxes; and receive, from the login server, thecurrent location of the location-aware mobile device; store the currentlocation of the location-aware mobile device; receive, from the loginserver, a query to determine which one of the plurality of set top boxesis located closest to the current location of the location-aware mobiledevice; and send, to the login server, a response indicating which oneof the plurality of set top boxes is located closest to the currentlocation of the location-aware mobile device.
 16. A method implementedby a location system which is associated with a system that isconfigured to enable a user with a location-aware mobile device to haveat least partial control of a closest set top box associated with aclosest television, the system further comprising a login system and anaccounting system, the method implemented by the location systemcomprising steps of: storing fixed locations of a plurality of set topboxes; and receiving, from the login server, the current location of thelocation-aware mobile device; storing the current location of thelocation-aware mobile device; receiving, from the login server, a queryto determine which one of the plurality of set top boxes is locatedclosest to the current location of the location-aware mobile device; andsending, to the login server, a response indicating which one of theplurality of set top boxes is located closest to the current location ofthe location-aware mobile device.
 17. An accounting system which isassociated with a system that is configured to enable a user with alocation-aware mobile device to have at least partial control of aclosest set top box associated with a closest television, the systemfurther comprising a login system, the accounting system comprising: aprocessor; and a memory that stores processor-executable instructionstherein where the processor interfaces with the memory and executes theprocessor-executable instructions to: maintain account details of theuser, receive, from the login server, a request for at least a portionof the account details of the user; send, to the login server, the atleast a portion of the account details of the user; process more thanone user-billing account for the closest set top box if the user hascomplete control of the closest set top box to control content displayedon the closest television; and receive, from the login server, a logoutmessage and upon receipt of the logout message stop billing the user forcontent displayed on the closest television and start billing anoriginal subscriber-user of the closest set top box for contentdisplayed on the closest television.
 18. A method implemented by anaccounting system which is associated with a system that is configuredto enable a user with a location-aware mobile device to have at leastpartial control of a closest set top box associated with a closesttelevision, the system further comprising a login system, the methodimplemented by the accounting system comprising steps of: maintainingaccount details of the user, receiving, from the login server, a requestfor at least a portion of the account details of the user; sending, tothe login server, the at least a portion of the account details of theuser; processing more than one user-billing account for the closest settop box if the user has complete control of the closest set top box tocontrol content displayed on the closest television; and receiving, fromthe login server, a logout message and upon receipt of the logoutmessage stop billing the user for content displayed on the closesttelevision and start billing an original subscriber-user of the closestset top box for content displayed on the closest television.
 19. Anadvertising system which is associated with a system that is configuredto enable a user with a location-aware mobile device to have at leastpartial control of a closest set top box associated with a closesttelevision, the system further comprising a location system, theadvertising system comprising: a processor; and a memory that storesprocessor-executable instructions therein where the processor interfaceswith the memory and executes the processor-executable instructions to:interact with the location system to track demographics of the user whenthe user is checked-in to have limited control of the closest set tobox; and send target advertising to the user based on the trackeddemographics.
 20. The advertising system of claim 19, wherein theprocessor further interfaces with the memory and executes theprocessor-executable instructions to: track demographics of the user andother users who are checked-in to have limited control of the closestset top box; and send target advertising to the user and other usersbased on an aggregate of the tracked demographics of the user and theother users who are checked-in to have limited control of the closestset top box.
 21. The advertising system of claim 19, wherein the closestset top box is located outside of a home of the user but when the userhas at least partial control of the closest set top box then the closestset top box functions in an identical manner as the one or more set topboxes located in the home of the user
 22. A method implemented by anadvertising system which associated with a system that is configured toenable a user with a location-aware mobile device to have at leastpartial control of a closest set top box associated with a closesttelevision, the system further comprising a location system, the methodimplemented by the advertising system comprising steps of: interactingwith the location system to track demographics of the user when the useris checked-in to have limited control of the closest set to box; andsending target advertising to the user based on the trackeddemographics.
 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising steps of:tracking demographics of the user and other users who are checked-in tohave limited control of the closest set top box; and sending targetadvertising to the user and other users based on an aggregate of thetracked demographics of the user and the other users who are checked-into have limited control of the closest set top box.
 24. The method ofclaim 22, wherein the closest set top box is located outside of a homeof the user but when the user has at least partial control of theclosest set top box then the closest set top box functions in anidentical manner as the one or more set top boxes located in the home ofthe user
 25. A system for enabling a user with a location-aware mobiledevice to have at least partial control of a closest set top boxassociated with a closest television, the system comprising: a loginserver; a location system configured store fixed locations of aplurality of top boxes; and an accounting system configured to maintainaccount details of the user, the login server configured to receive alogin command from the location-aware mobile device, the login commandincludes at least account information associated with the user and acurrent location of the location-aware mobile device; the login serverconfigured to send the current location of the location-aware mobiledevice to the location system; the location system configured to storethe current location of the location-aware mobile device; the loginserver configured to send a query to the location system to determinewhich one of q plurality of set top boxes is located closest to thecurrent location of the location-aware mobile device; the locationsystem configured to determine which one of the plurality of set topboxes is located closest to the current location of the location-awaremobile device; the location system configured to send informationidentifying the closest set top box to the login server; the loginserver configured to send the information identifying the closest settop box to the location-aware mobile device; the login server configuredto send a request to the accounting system for at least a portion of theaccount details of the user stored therein; the accounting systemconfigured to send the at least a portion of the account details of theuser to the login server; the login server configured to send the atleast a portion of the account details of the user to the closest settop box; and the login server configured to send a login confirmation tothe location-aware mobile device to indicate to the user that they nowhave at least partial control of the closest set top box to controlcontent displayed on the closest television.
 26. A method for enabling auser with a location-aware mobile device to have at least partialcontrol of a closest set top box associated with a closest television,the method implemented by a system comprising a login server, a locationsystem, and an accounting system, the method comprising the steps of:storing, at the location system, fixed locations of a plurality of settop boxes; maintaining, at the accounting system, account details of theuser, receiving, at the login server, a login command from thelocation-aware mobile device, the login command includes at leastaccount information associated with the user and a current location ofthe location-aware mobile device; sending, from the login server, thecurrent location of the location-aware mobile device to the locationsystem; storing, at the location system, the current location of thelocation-aware mobile device; sending, from the login server, a query tothe location system to determine which one of a plurality of set topboxes is located closest to the current location of the location-awaremobile device; determining, at the location system, which one of theplurality of set top boxes is located closest to the current location ofthe location-aware mobile device; sending, from the location system,information identifying the closest set top box to the login server;sending, from the login server, the information identifying the closestset top box to the location-aware mobile device; sending, from the loginserver, a request to the accounting system for at least a portion of theaccount details of the user stored therein; sending, from the accountingsystem, the at least a portion of the account details of the user to thelogin server; sending, from the login server, the at least a portion ofthe account details of the user to the closest set top box; and sending,from the login server, a login confirmation to the location-aware mobiledevice to indicate to the user that they now have at least partialcontrol of the closest set top box to control content displayed on theclosest television.